Country: Australia
Language: English
Source: Department of Health (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
Methotrexate
Fresenius Kabi Australia Pty Limited
Medicine Registered
CMI for Methotrexate Kabi 27 April 2010 Filename: MetKabiCMI270410 Page 1 of 4 Change: METHOTREXATE KABI Methotrexate solution for injection CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION WHAT IS IN THIS LEAFLET This leaflet answers some common questions about Methotrexate injection. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine is likely to be used while you are at the clinic or in hospital. If possible, please read this leaflet carefully before this medicine is given to you. In some cases this leaflet may be given to you after the medicine has been used. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT TAKING THIS MEDICINE, ASK YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST. KEEP THIS LEAFLET. You may need to read it again. WHAT METHOTREXATE IS USED FOR Methotrexate Kabi belongs to a group of anticancer drugs known as antineoplastics. Methotrexate works by preventing the growth of certain cells. It is used for different types of cancer and also severe psoriasis (a skin condition). The active ingredient in Methotrexate Kabi is methotrexate. Methotrexate Kabi may be used for the treatment of other conditions that are not mentioned above. Your doctor will be able to tell you about the specific condition for which you have been prescribed it. Methotrexate is only available on a prescription from your doctor. Cancer cells are normal cells which have changed so that they grow in an uncontrolled way. Methotrexate works by interfering with cance Read the complete document
Filename: MetKabi090310 Page 1 of 17 WARNING Methotrexate must be used only by physicians experienced in antimetabolite chemotherapy, or in the case of non-oncological conditions, by a specialist physician. Because of the possibility of fatal or severe toxic reactions the patient should be fully informed by the physician of the risks involved and should be under his constant supervision. Deaths have been reported with the use of methotrexate. In the treatment of psoriasis, methotrexate should be restricted to severe, recalcitrant, disabling disease which is not adequately responsive to other forms of therapy, but only when the diagnosis has been established by biopsy and / or after appropriate consultation. 1. Methotrexate may produce marked depression of bone marrow, anaemia, aplastic anaemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and bleeding. 2. Methotrexate may be hepatotoxic, particularly at high dosage or with prolonged therapy. Liver atrophy, necrosis, cirrhosis, fatty changes and periportal fibrosis have been reported. Since changes may occur without previous signs of gastrointestinal or haematological toxicity, it is imperative that hepatic function be determined prior to initiation of treatment and monitored regularly throughout therapy. Special caution is indicated in the presence of pre-existing liver damage or impaired hepatic function. Concomitant use of other drugs with hepatotoxic potential (includin Read the complete document